Cave Rescue, December 28, 1986
Rehoboth Church Cave, WV

REPORT

On December 28 a group of four cavers was in Rehoboth Church Cave in Monroe County, West
Virginia. They had entered at 11 p.m. to take photos and stayed long enough for at least one carbide
change. As they came through a tight crawlway there was an explosion. Acetylene escaping from the
pack of Kenneth Anderson (23) had ignited as he pushed the pack ahead of him. The explosion
knocked off his helmet but did no permanent damage. The acetylene generated from the moisture
getting at loose carbide in the bottom of the pack -- he had neglected to properly close the lid of his
carbide container. On the way out Jay Tompkins (20) was traversing a pool when he slipped form his
holds -- the "water belay" saved him from injury.